Bedrock

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Geological surveys of the State of Maine reveal that all three major rock groups--sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic--exist in its bedrock.  These rocks contain quite a variety of mineral content and vary greatly in color, texture and structure.  There are widespread areas in Maine where bedrock, the solid rock that makes up the earth's crust, is exposed.  Recently, I had the privilege of visiting the Pemaquid shorelines of Maine.  The waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash upon huge rocks, bedrock that makes up the scenic ledges of this coast.  For thousands of years, these rocks have been battered by the waves, but they stand as a testimony of their security, stability and strength.
 
As I looked at the immovable, massive rocks of the Maine coast I had a fresh appreciation for their Creator.  Also, I remembered the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy, Chapter 32.  Scattered in the verses of this Song that Moses proclaimed to the entire assembly of Israel, shortly before his death, are several references to God, "The Rock."  The first reference appears in verses 3 and 4.  "I will proclaim the name of the Lord.  Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He."
 
The Song of Moses tells the story of God's faithfulness to His chosen people even though they rejected Him.  "For the Lord's portion is His people...In a desert land He found him...He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him; He guarded Him as the apple of His eye...He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from flinty crag..." (Verses 9-10, 13)  Despite the Lord's lavish care for His people, they turned away from Him.  "Jeshurun (Israel) grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he rejected the Rock, His Savior." (Verse 15) Moses told his people:  "You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth." (Verse 18)
 
Israel could not survive without their Rock, as the Song continues to explain:  "How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up?  For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede." (Verses 30-31) The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is one of great compassion and comes to the defense of His people when He sees that their strength is gone, and they need Him.  He says through the Song of Moses, "...There is no god besides me.  I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand...Rejoice, you nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants; He will take vengeance on His enemies and make atonement for His land and people." (Verses 39, 43)
 
When Moses finishes his Song, he says to God's people, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.  They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.  By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Verses 46-47) It is interesting to note that the book of Revelation tells of John's vision of heaven where he hears those who are victorious over the beast sing the Song of Moses. (Revelation 15:1-3)
 
When I remember the bedrock of Maine's coast I think of our Savior, The Rock.  The Psalmist says, "He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." (Psalm 62:2) Isaiah confirms this:  "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." (Isaiah 26:4) 1 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us of how the children of Israel drank from the rock:  "...For they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ."  We must do likewise.  Troubles and trials will come into our lives.  We must be prepared like that house that was built upon a rock.  "He (the person who does what Jesus commands) is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock." (Luke 6:48-NKJ) Jesus is our Rock, our Bedrock.  We must build our lives upon Him!